Objective    To investigate the expressions of heparanase (Hpa) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) as well as their relationship with angiogenesis in human ovarian carcinoma.     Methods    Forty-one ovarian carcinoma specimens resected from the patients diagnosed with ovarian carcinoma from January 2003 to November 2007 were examined by immunohistochemistry for the expressions of Hpa and bFGF and microvessel density (MVD).     Results    Hpa highly expressed in ovarian carcinoma

and its expression was positively correlated with MVD and bFGF expression (r=0.351

P0.05; r=0.420

P0.05). In ovarian carcinoma specimens

MVD of bFGF-positive specimens was higher than that of bFGF-negative ones (P0.05)

and MVD of both Hpa-positive and bFGF-positive specimens was higher than that of other specimens (P0.05). The expressions of Hpa and bFGF as well as MVD were significantly higher in FIGO stage Ⅲ and Ⅳ than those in stage Ⅰ and Ⅱ (P0.05)

and were significantly higher in poorly differentiated ovarian carcinoma specimens than those in moderately-highly differentiated ones (P0.05).     Conclusion    Hpa highly expresses in human ovarian carcinoma and has a positive correlation with bFGF expression and ovarian carcinoma angiogenesis. High expression of Hpa in ovarian carcinoma tissues contributes to tumor angiogenesis

and the coexpression of Hpa and bFGF may play complementary biological role in tumor angiogenesis and tumor invasion and metastasis.